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REVISED 



Jingles, Don'ts 
Etc, 

VIRGINIA M, MEYER 



PRICE — FIFTY CENTS 



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Printed in U. S. A. 



REVISED 

AUCTION BRIDGE QUIZ 
JINGLES, DON'TS 
ETC. 



VIRGINIA M. MEYER 

Author of 
"Small Talks on Bridge" 
'Sure Winners At Auction Bridge" 



Address all mail to 
VIRGINIA M. MEYER. 
91 Cass Ave., Mt. Clemens, Mich. 



Copyrighted in U. S. A., 1921 
Copyrighted in U. S. A., 1922 
By 

VIRGINIA M. MEYER 



Note. — This booklet is clear and con- 
cise. Space will permit of only the most 
important rules -and ideas in the fewest 
words possible. It does not claim, to- be 
a book of analysis; only terse references 
that can be found easily, and if you look 
for them often enough they will soon 
be remembered, with a result that will 
be gratifying to your partner as well as 
yourself. Accept the statements made 
as a fact, whether or not you understand 
the reason, and soon it will be made 
clear to you. 

Auction Bridge is each day becoming 
more and more a game of science. The 
fascination of it does not grow less, but 
making a study of it and its endless pos- 
sibilities adds greatly to the interest. It 
strengthens the memory and reasoning 
power. It is real work, but it is well 
worth while. 



Original Score 
Each trick above six counts: 

Clubs, 6; diamonds, 7; hearts, 8; 
spades, 9; no trump, 10. 

No-Trump Honors 

3 aces, 30. 

4 aces, 40. 

4 aces, 1 hand, 100. 

Declared Trump Honors 

3 honors — twice a trick. 

4 honors — 4 times a trick. 

5 honors — 5 times a trick. 

4 honors, 1 hand — 8 times a trick. 

5 honors, 4 in 1 hand — 9 times a trick. 
5 honors, all in 1 hand — 10 times a 

trick. 

Rubber— 250; Grand Slam, 100; Little 
Slam, 50. 

Penalties 

When the declarer fails to win as 
many tricks as he declares, neither he 
nor his adversaries score anything to- 
ward the game, but his adversaries score 
in their honor column 50 points for each 
undertrick (i. e., each trick short of the 



4 



number declared). If the declaration be 
doubled, the adversaries score 100 
points; if redoubled, 200 points for each 
undertrick. 

When a player whose declaration has 
been doubled wins the declared number 
of tricks, he scores a bonus of 50 points 
in his honor score, and a further 50 points 
for each additional trick. When he or 
his partner has redoubled, he scores 100 
points for making the contract and an 
additional 100' for each extra trick. 

Other Scoring 

TRICKS and PENALTIES are the 
same in all localities. Some players 
count only four or more honors in one 
hand. A count fast growing in favor is 
to cut out honors altogether and, instead, 
count fifty for each hand that makes 
thirty or more points. This lessens the 
luck element, strengthens the play, and 
puts high cards wholly on a trick-taking 
basis. 

Bidding 

If the bidding is not sound, good play- 
ing avails but little, unless by chance 
your partner holds the winning cards. 
In that case he might know enough to 
bid them. One hardly knows whether to 
be exasperated with or sorry for the 



player who after the most atrocious bid- 
ding blandly says, "Well, it won!" 

The first bid must show aces and kings. 
Later developments may warrant bid- 
ding without them, but the first bid must 
be based on them. OVEROBSERVE this 
rule until you fully realize its importance, 
•and you will make an acceptable part- 
ner. 



Different Bids 

What is a free bid? 

Any bid that is made from choice. 

WHAT is a forced bid? 

A bid that has to be made to get into 
the game. 

What is an informatory or invitation 
bid? 

A bid that a good partner will use to 
advantage, — one made primarily to give 
him information for such use. 

What is a shut-out bid? 

A high bid made to shut out oppon- 
ents' bids. Usually they show a very 
long suit that will assist no other, bid. 
They are NOT made in the minor suits 
unless the game is in sight, or the score 
warrants it. This bid is also called 
"business" or "pre-emptive." 



6 



What is a secondary bid? 

A later bid that shows length but NOT 
strength. 

What is a rescue bid? 

A bid taking a partner to a lower suit, 
thus denying assistance for his bid. 

What is a directive bid? 

One made to direct a lead from part- 
ner when it would be advantageous. 

What is the original bid? 

The FIRST bid made, no matter by 
whom it is made. 

What does it show? 

Aces and Kings. 

Why? 

Because it shows STRENGTH, and a 
readiness either to assist or assume re- 
sponsibility. 

What does a minor suit bid shoiw? 

Three quick tricks, one or two in the 
suit named, — or a willingness to bid 
later. In any case, it is an imperative 
demand for your partner to make it pos- 
sible for you to bid again. 

Is the above method for bidding minor 
suits generally accepted? 

Yes, though there is a certain school 
of players (in the minority) who will 



not bid in a minor suit unless willing to 
play it. These players miss many splen- 
did opportunities. 

Why? , 

Many hands hold three quick tricks 
in two SHORT suits (one or both minor). 
Unless the invitation bid is used NO bid 
can be made on such a hand. 

Note. — When playing with a stranger 
ask him to which school he belongs. 
This will simplify matters and the best 
results will follow, if each is willing to 
accept and meet the method of the 
other. 

What is meant by "quick tricks"? 

Aces and Kings. 

Are high bids ever made in the minor 
suits? 

No; not unless game is in sight with 
that suit trump, or the score warrants 
it. THIS CANNOT BE SAID TOO 
OFTEN. 

What does a major suit bid show?. 

A suit of five cards with two good 
honors and a quick outside trick, — a 
hand good for four tricks with that suit 
trump. Partner should not change the 
bid if in ANY way he can assist it. 



8 



Is there a test count for a suit bid? 

Yes. Count the trumps, add the hon- 
ors and outside aces and guarded kings; 
divide the total by two and the result 
will be the probable number of tricks the 
hand is good for with that trump. 

When is a bid of two warranted? 

Bid two with six trumps, — and three 
with seven — remembering there must be 
at least two good honors. 

What does a bid of one no-trump show? 

Some one of the compulsory no-trump- 
ers, and a request of partner to name 
any five (or more) carol suit he may 
have. 

Is this request obligatory? 

Yes, unless the suit is an ESTABLISH- 
ED minor suit, as that will help most 
any other bid. Most no j trumpers have a 
weak spot and it does no harm for part- 
ner to name his long suit. Try it a 
month and see how many games are 
won in minor as well as major suits. 

What are compulsory no-trump bids? 

Three aces; four aces; two aces and 
a guarded king or queen; two ace-king 
suits; one long established minor suit 
and an outside ace; an evenly divided 
hand with guarded honors in every suit. 



9 



Is there any exception to the above? 

Yes; if there is a sure major suit bid, 
do not spoil it for a doubtful no-trump. 

Why? 

Anything may happen to a no-trump- 
er if it has any weak spots. "With <a long 
major suit it takes only one more to go 
game;, and it is much safer. 

Why are these obligatory no-trump bids? 

They all show three quick tricks that 
will help ANY bid; and they also deny a 
good major suit bid. 

Do these suggestions cover the- original 
bid? 

Practically yes. Heed them well 
Once more let me urge that the first 
bid be true and show Aces and\ Kings. A 
one-club or diamond bid DEMANDS a 
take-out; a heart or spade bid shows you 
are willing to play ( with that trump; a 
one no-trump asks partner to show any 
five-card suit he has and leave the rest 
to you. These >are simple rules, but they 
are WINNERS. 

Second-Hand Bidder 

If the dealer passes, second hand may, 
and it conveys no information except 
that the hand is not pheomenally strong. 
The same bids given for the dealer hold 

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good for second hand if he sees fit to 
use them. Second hand is quite apt to 
lie low unless he thinks he has a game 
hand with average help from his part- 
ner. 

Bid 2 of any suit if reasonably sure of 
5 tricks after the dealer has hid 1 no- 
trump. 

Bid 1 on a higher suit than the one 
made by the dealer if the hand is good 
for 4 tricks. Bfd 2 if the hand is good 
for 5 or 6 tricks. This will make it ex- 
pensive for the adversaries. 

Two Conventions for 
Second Hand 

Called NEGATIVE DOUBLES, used 
only for information and demands a bid 
from partner. 

If the dealer bids no-trumip, second 
hand should double if he holds a hand 
in which the suits are EVENLY divided 
on which he would have bid no-trump. 
There must be one or two good honors 
in each suit. 

The object of this double is to show 
a strong hand over a strong hand, and 
is an invitation for fourth hand to name 
his longest suit. 

If the dealer names a suit and second 
hand has a no-trump except for that suit, 
he should double, and if fourth hand is 



it 



strong in that suit he will bid no-trump. 
Failing in this he must name his longest 
suit. 

Is there any exception that allows these 
doubles to be disregarded. 

Yes. If the hand of the doublets 
partner will MATERIALLY ASSIST to 
set the contract. , 

These conventions should not be used 
except by players who fully understand 
their value. They are to be USED, but 
not ABUSED. 

Third-Hand Bids 

If the dealer and second hand have 
passed, third hand should also pass un- 
less he has a hand on which he is willing 
to take the responsibility, counting on 
his partner for NOT MORE THAN TWO 
tricks. Remember that in • passing the 
dealer denies a good hand. 

If the dealer has bid 1 no-trump, sec- 
ond has bid 2 on some suit, third hand 
should not raise the no-trump bid un- 
less he has a sure trick or tfvtfo in the 
suit named. If he has «an otherwise ; 
strong hand he should name his longest 
suit. .-f. '■ ■■■ fi 'ie'-?o hm<£ it 

If the dealer has i bid no-trump, sec- 
ond hand passed, third hand should not 
fail to bid 2 hearts or spades if he has 
five or more, whether they be weak or 
STRONG. With that many trumps and 



72 



partner's no-trump the bid is much saf- 
er, With <a long, weak club or diamond 
suit the warning bid should also be 
made. Unless the no-trump bidder is 
very sure of his ground he should take 
the warning and let the bid stand. 

This is one of the most important bids 
for third hand, and when neglected 
brings only disaster. 

Is there any exception to the five card 
"take out"? 

Yes. An established minor suit. 
Why? 

Because it is a sure assistance for a 
no j trump. 

Do not raise your partner's suit bid 
unless you can give him three sure 
tricks. Count only on outside aces and 
guarded kings for tricks. Do not raise 
on trump strength unless they can be 
used for trumping a short suit. Remem- 
ber your partner has trumps and needs 
assistance in some other way. 

If the dealer bids a suit, third hand 
should change the bid if he has abso- 
lutely no assistance, but thinks he can 
make use of his partner's cards to win 
his own bid. 

When third hand passes after dealer 
has made a bid only two inferences can 
be .drawn. The hand will help the bid 
or is hopelessly bad. 



13 



Fourth-Hand Bids 



Remember if three hands have passed 
the chances are the cards are rather 
evenly divided. In such case it is bet- 
ter to pass the deal than to iplay for on- 
ly a trick or two. 

There may be several avenues open 
to fourth hand, as he has had informa- 
tion from both partner and opponents. 

If the dealer has bid 1 no-trump, sec- 
ond and third have passed, fourth hand 
will bid 2 on any suit of which he has 
five with two honors and an outside trick. 
This is known as the directive bid to 
show his partner which suit to lead in 
case the no-trump bid is raised. Partner 
should never raise the bid unless he is 
ready to assume the responsibility of 3 
or 4 SURE tricks. 

If second hand f has bid 2 in some suit 
over dealer's 1 no-trump, third bids 2 
no-trump, fourth hand should not raise 
his partner's bid unless his hand is very 
strong. To win a bid of three against 
two no-trump hands is pretty hard work. 
The bid should be made only in extreme 
cases or to save rubber. 

If the dealer has named a suit, sec- 
ond hand bid no-trump, third has raised 
his partner's bid or named some other 
suit, fourth may raise to 2 no-trump, 
feeling sure he need not worry about the 
first suit named. 



14 



Fourth hand should never take the 
dealer out of a 1-club or diamond bid un- 
less he thinks he has a game hand. Again 
have the thought in mind the main thing 
is to play for or save game. 

Summary of First Bids 

Minor bids are for information, major 
suits are for Ipusiness; no-trump is an 
invitation for partner^ to bid on any five 
card suit he may have. (Note exception 
on page 14.) 

Second Round 

If your partner has switched from 
your bid do not return to it unless sure 
of your ground. Rather assist his bid 
if it is possible. 

If you have raised your partner's bid 
once do not raise it the second time un- 
less you have MORE than 3 tricks to 
give him. 

When the bidding has gone to 3 and 
4, be careful not to be left with some- 
thing you do not want. 

Never take your opponents out of a 
bid on which they cannot go game un- 
less you think you can go game your- 
self. 

Pinal High Bids 

Very little can be said about them, as 



is 



they depend wholly on all that has gone 
before. 

Desperate chances are taken at critical 
times and to save a rubber, but only 
strong players can successfully handle 
these bids. * 

Doubling 

The conventional doubles already 
given for second hand are about the only 
ones for doubling a bid of one. 

Among strong players very little doub- 
ling is done. It does more harm than 
good, and too often wins a rubber for 
opponents. 

It is safer to double your right hand 
opponent than your left, as you play 
after him. 

Free double — done because you want 
to and expect to win. Free doubles are 
also called business or positive doubles. 

Forced double — made against a game 
bid with a possible chance of winning 
and getting a good penalty score. 



Redoubling 

Only two good reasons for doing it: 
(a) sure of winning it; (b) hoping the 
opponents will change the bid and that 
YOU can double THEM. 



16 



High Card Leads 

When is an ace led? 

Ace and king alone; ace, queen, knave, 
with or without others; ace with seven 
or eight others. 

When is king led? 

Ace, king and others; king, queen, with 

or without others. 

. 

When is queen led? 

Queen, knave, ten, with or. without 
others. 

When is knave- led? 

Knave, ten, nine, with or without oth- 
ers. 

When is ten led? 

Ten, knave, king,, with or without oth- 
ers. 

How is a three-card suit opened? 

High in leading to a call. 
Low when headed by ace, king or 
queen. 

High when headed by knave or lower. 
Top card if headed by a sequence 
lower than ace. 

How is a two-card suit opened? 

Always with the higher card. Avoid 
opening from king and one small; but 
if opened at all, lead the king. 

17 



Trump Openings 



What is a good opening against a de- 
clared trump? 

A. Any of the combination leads. 

B. An ace — to hold the lead and see 
the dummy. 

C. A singleton or doubleton— -with 
the hope of trumping. 

D. Highest card of the suit partner 
has bid. 

E. Holding none of these, lead fourth 
best of own long suit. 

What is a good opening against a no- 
trump? 

If partner has bid, lead the best of his 
suit. 

Always? 

Yes. Only two excuses for not doing 
so — having none, or a good five-or-more 
card suit of your own with two or three 
honors in it and a quick outside trick. 

What is led if partner has not bid? 

Your own suit; high, with a high com- 
bination, otherwise your fourth best. If 
you lead a high card, it is an invitation 
for your partner to unblock (by not hold- 
ing up his high cards.) 

What is the rule of eleven? 

Subtract the face value of the card 
led from eleven, and the result will be 



18 



the number of cards, outside of LEAD- 
ER'S hand, HIGHER than the card led. 

Is the rule valuable? 

Yes, it makes many an extra trick. It 
is used mostly at no-trump. It is appli- 
cable only when the lead is the fourth 
best, and also only on the first lead of 
the suit. 



Always 

Always bid 1 no-trump with 3 well 
protected suits unless one is a long suit 
of hearts or spades. 

Always hold the command of your op- 
ponent's suit (at no-trump) until the 
third round of it. 

Always take a trick with the lowest 
card of a sequence. 

Always bid 2 spades or hearts with 5 
or 6 tricks in sight, as it will cut out 
lower bids. 

Always set the bid at the first oppor- 
tunity if there is any danger of losing 
the chance to do it. 

Always clear your partner's suit as 
soon as possible. j 

Always play your aces and kings early 
against a declared trump. 

Always force the strong hand to trump 
as it will weaken it. 

Always lead trumps when the declar- 



19 



ant does not. It is very apt to spoil his 
plans. 

Always remember that sound bidding 
is the nucleus for good scores. 

Always remember auction is a part- 
nership game and be as pliant as possi- 
ble. 

Always play a backward game at no- 
trump. 

Don't 

Don't bid with less than 3 tricks. It 
is better to have a possible fourth. 

Don't raise your partner's bid with less 
than 3 tricks. 

Don't raise partner's hid on trump 
strength alone. 

Don't double your opponents into 
game. 

Don't fail to lead your partner's suit 
at no-trump if he has bid. 

Don't fail to lead your own longest 
suit at no-trump if your partner has not 
bid. 

Don't take the dealer out of a 1 club 
or diamond if you are fourth hand and 
no one has bid in between. 

Don't bid no-trump if you have a sure 
heart or spade bid. 

Don't leave your partner with 1 club 
or diamond if you can help it. Try to 
put his cards to some better use. 

Don't change your partner's major suit 



20 



bid if your hand will at all assist him to 
win the* game. 

Don't forget that passing gives as val- 
uable information as bidding. 

Don't forget the important cards in 
bidding are the aces and kings. 



Never 

Never raise your partner's bid with 
less than 3 tricks. He counts on< you 
for 2 tricks. 

Never deceive your partner by false 
carding. 

Never make an initial bid without aces 
and kings. 

Never double unless you have more 
than half the tricks it will take to set 
the bid. 

Never make a bid when you do not 
know why you are making it. Mere con- 
versation is not intended for auction 
bridge. 

Never make a bid just to push your 
opponent. Unless you have something 
with which to push, it may prove ex- 
pensive. 

Never bid if there is danger of your 
being left with something you do not 
want. 

Never forget quick rubbers mean good 
bidding, and that is good auction. 
Never forget high scores mean poor 



21 



bidding is being done. The best playing 
cannot overcome that. 

Never let the declarant ruff from the 
weak hand. 

Never let the declarant trump from 
one hand and discard from the other. 

Never raise your own bid if you bid 
its full value the' first time. 



Jingles 

Aces and kings; aces and kings. 

Say 't o'er and o'er and o'er. 
The more you say and heed it, 

The more will be your score. 

If aces and kings are against you, 

They will pinch you, and pinch you 
hard. 

The harder they pinch, the surer the 
cinch 

That in time you'll be on your guard. 

Two aces and a guarded king. 

To name no-trump — the very thing. 
Two aces and a guarded queen, 

To name no-trump is plainly seen. 

When the dummy's on your right, 
Lead to the weakest suit in sight. 

Because — your partner may be able to 
win the trick very cheaply. 



22 



When the dummy's on your left 
His strong suit you'll attack, 

And if your partner wins the trick 
He must not lead it beak. 

Because — he would be leading up to 
strength. 

Cover an honor with an honor 

If you play second hand, 
This you must not fail to do 

E'en though you do not understand. 

Because — it may win the trick, or it will 
take two honors for one and it may 
strengthen your partner's hand. In any 
case da it. 

Lead from the weak hand to the strong 
Let the short hand help the long. 

Because — the lead must be left in the 
hand with the longest suit, therefore let 
the short hand win all the tricks it can 
before throwing the lead. 

Auction is a game of information, 

It has its duties, too, 
It helps to train your memory 

And reasoning you must do. 

Because — to make an acceptable partner 
one must reason well and be able to re- 
member all that has gone before. 



23 



This booklet makes its little plea 
To Auction players far and wide, 

So learn the system itapproves 
And by its rules abide. 

Because — they have been tried and test- 
ed by the experts on whose judgment 
you may reply. 

Finis 

The things that may seem <a repetition 
are the ones needed the very most. They 
have been intentional, therefore no ap- 
ology can be made. 



NOTE 

"Sure Winners at Auction Bridge" is a 
sequal to "Auction Bridge Quiz" and will 
meet the needs of the more advanced 
players. 



NOTE: — Questions asked by readers of 
this booklet will be promptly answered 
by 

MRS. VIRGINIA M. MEYER 
91 Cass Avenue 
Mount Clemens, Michigan. 



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